Thursday, October 14, 2010

money saving rescue!

Ways to save money.

1) Have a goal in mind.

If you’re planning to saving money, you have to think about what it is you’re saving it for. What exactly are your goals you wish to do or get? Make a list of things you would want to do and starting saving them up.

2) Think about why you want to achieve that goal.

The troublesome thing people do is spending money just because something looks good to have or something else. Never buy something unless it’s worth buying. Let’s say you want to work out and you want exercise equipment. You see something that looks benefitting to you. Think it over and if it’s want you want, then make that your goal. Let’s say you have a love for Japan and you want to travel there. Think about what it is you wanted to do there, do some research and figure out the costs for everything you need for the flight, someplace to stay, food to eat and possibly souvenirs. I’ve been told this wise advice; think before you act. So take that advice, think before you act. I can’t tell you how many times I didn’t think before I acted and that was a major mistake. I looked at all of the things I’ve owned and regretted buying most of it.

3) Got financial problems? Work on that first, then fun.

Remember how it is when your parents say, “No tv unless you did your homework?” Well, this is the same, take care of your problems before anything else. The troublesome thing people do is try to handle too much while trying to have fun. Think before you act.

4) Don’t drink, smoke or do drugs.

Yes I know, you’ve heard it all before and that pisses you off. But here’s the thing, they are expensive and they will keep your money flowing a lot slower. Think before you act.

5) Don’t be a junkie.

No not the drug junkie (Although you shouldn’t do drugs either), I’m talking video game junkie, movie junkie and such. It’s fine to like video games, movies, books and such. But you got to start using your head. The biggest mistake I made was that I was constantly buying video games, books, and movies. It kept me from making money and often times, they were a waste. Sure there’s some games I have that was excellent and some movies are excellent as well. Hell, I even tried to collect all the series of books. But you got to figure, would it really be worth it? I’m not sure if it would have been worth it if I start buying world of warcraft, so I didn’t.

6) Be sure to make a list and write things down.

Let’s say you have a job that pays you 700 per month. I know, I know, that sucks ass. But you have to look at it from this point of view, it’s better to be realistic and figure out how to do things rather than live in la-la land.

If you’re going to live in an apartment, I would suggest not just the cheapest apartment, but apartment with free utility. Paying electric bills is a nightmare. I lived in a tiny apartment that is not cheap only because it was the only cheap apartment nearby. I didn’t have free utility and it cost me over 300 dollars in utility for few months. I was ballistic, outrage, and I deeply hated the electric companies. So make sure you figure out the digits before you take an apartment.

You’re going to need to eat. One of my biggest pet peeve is buying food you are not going to eat and would eventually throw away. Never, ever buy food unless you’re going to eat it. I’ve seen people’s refrigerator and half of the food is going bad. Buy what you will eat otherwise you’re just wasting money. Food costs money and they ain’t cheap! Go cheap, buy what you want to eat. My advice is go to different stores, match up prices of the food item, get the cheapest one.

You’re going to need cleaning supplies and personal supplies. My advice is this, don’t go for the best or something that looks cool. Just get what is necessary.

I don’t know about you, but I would never buy a car. Cars are a major money suckers. They are extremely expensive, they need constant repairs and they need gas all the time. Get a ride, buy a bike, take a taxi or a bus fare. This isn’t to say you can’t buy a car, this is to say that buying the car right away would just hurt your finances. Although, there is some vehicles that runs on electric and there’s the human car where you’re the energy to the car and it can save you a bunch. They may not be cheap, but if you’re interested, start saving up.

Stay away from the fast food joint. I know, even I go there because they’re tempting and I get careless. Go a little as possible but eat at home. Trust me when I say this, that $1 whopper would be worth 8 hamburgers if you buy them at the store.

As for clothes, don’t buy stuff you think it’s cool, buy what you need. I noticed that people binge on clothes and it starts piling everywhere in the house or the apartment. Never do that. Buy what is necessary.
For electronic equipment, books, games, movies and fun stuff there is, buy sparingly and be sure if this is what you really need.

Then for the 700 dollars per month, you may be spending 200 dollars on the stuff, 400 per month on the rent. That’ll be $100 left. Yes I know, that’s outrageous. This is important; know your math, figure out how you can earn a lot more. That is the point of this. Nothing is easy.

7) Go to school.

If you go through college or community college, you may be able to find a job that pays a lot more than you get with the crappy job you have now. Stick with it. My advice is this, never go working in a job where the hours are ever-changing. It makes it harder to go to school and find a second job.

8) Get a second job.

That can be an effective way to save money. My advice would be this; one job for important things, another would be for the goals.

9) Make an emergency money plan.

The idea is to try saving up money, putting it safely away for any emergency you might have. Keep saving up on it.

10) DON’T HAVE KIDS!!

Don’t start going out with someone and go, “Let’s get married and have a bunch of kids.” That is a recipe for disaster! You’re not going to earn a lot of money this way. Wedding costs a lot of money, divorce costs a lot of money, child support costs a lot of money, child rearing costs even more money! Think before you act.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have kids or get married, I’m saying you shouldn’t rush headlong into marriage and kids. Plan things out, figure out the digits and how you can manage them. They’re too expensive, so think before you act.